More than food and fun is served up in American kitchens.

Involving the whole family in mealtime preparations can be a rewarding experience for everyone. And with just a little planning and creativity, family mealtime can become one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. Following are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Depending on age and interest, kids can be a big help with preparing and serving meals. They are also more likely to try new foods that they’ve helped to prepare. Add some menu items that will give them the chance to help.

• Nothing eases the stress of dinnertime like having something cooked and waiting when you get home. Unearth the slow cooker or double recipes and freeze. You can even throw extras – like chicken, pork tenderloin, and bratwurst – on the grill and freeze.

• Make mealtimes fun and interesting. Create a “theme” dinner, let the kids make simple decorations, have a backyard picnic, or celebrate small successes. Even easy ideas like these can be the beginning of important mealtime traditions and rituals.

For more fun family recipes, go to www.marthawhite.com.

Have-It-Your-Way Taco Pie

Filling
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 cups chunky salsa

Crust
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1 (6 oz.) pkg. Martha White® Mexican Cornbread Mix

Your Choice of Toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, sliced ripe olives, and sliced avocado.

Heat oven to 425º F. Place greased 10 1/2 inch cast iron skillet in oven to heat.

In another large skillet over medium high heat, cook and stir ground beef until brown and crumbly. Add chili powder and salsa; stir. Reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes.

In medium bowl, beat egg. Add milk and cornbread mix; stir until smooth. Remove skillet from oven; pour cornbread batter into skillet. Spoon ground beef mixture over batter, leaving edges uncovered. (Batter will begin to rise around edge of skillet.)

Bake at 425º F. for 16 to 20 minutes or until cornbread is golden brown. Remove from oven. Cool 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into wedges, and serve topped with a choice of toppings.

6 servings

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